NEW data shows the Australian Border Force (ABF) continues to deliver significant results in disrupting illicit tobacco supply chains, seizing more than 2,300 tonnes of illicit tobacco and 13.2 million vapes in the 2025-26 financial year.
The result reflects a full-spectrum compliance approach spanning offshore intelligence, border interception and domestic enforcement, with the ABF saying the sustained pressure is making it harder for organised crime groups to operate.
ABF officers stationed offshore received more than 1,640 referrals from international partner agencies between 1 July 2025 and 30 June 2026, a 209% increase on the previous financial year.
That intelligence helped prevent more than 514.9 million illicit cigarettes, 11.9 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco and 3.1 million vapes from reaching Australia.
At the border, the ABF seized more than 2.2 billion cigarette sticks and 586.7 tonnes of loose-leaf tobacco during the year.
In total, border seizures amounted to more than 2,259.4 tonnes of illicit tobacco, alongside 13.2 million illicit vaping products, up 112% on the previous financial year.
The agency said those tobacco seizures equated to estimated duty evasion of more than $4.7 billion, excluding GST.
Domestic operations also recorded sharp increases.
Across post-border enforcement activity, the ABF seized more than 109.4 million cigarette sticks, a 496% increase year on year, and more than 32.1 tonnes of loose tobacco, up 232%.
Total domestic seizures reached more than 114.2 tonnes of illicit tobacco, also a 232% increase, representing estimated duty evasion of more than $236.6 million, excluding GST.
Across the full border continuum, total illicit tobacco seizures for the financial year exceeded 2,300 tonnes, which the ABF said was roughly equivalent to the weight of 170 double-decker buses.
ABF Commander Illicit Tobacco and Vape Enforcement Greg Dowse said the figures pointed to a broader disruption effect beyond the seizure volumes alone.
"Our aim is to measure success by the level of disruption we cause to organised crime groups and by reducing their ability to operate profitably," Commander Dowse said.
"Over the last financial year, offshore and domestic disruption have emerged as key areas of success. We are removing significant volumes of illicit tobacco from the community, and not just at the border.
"These results show the value of strong international and whole-of-government cooperation, and the importance of longstanding partnerships with law enforcement agencies in Australia and overseas.
"A 496% increase in cigarette stick seizures and a 232 per cent increase in overall illicit tobacco seizures compared to the previous financial year reflects an unprecedented level of domestic disruption being delivered against criminal supply chains and shows the impact of ABF-led enforcement action when applied across the full border continuum.
"The intelligence picture shows ongoing enforcement pressure is producing measurable effects. We are seeing organised crime groups modify their smuggling methods in response, while rising illicit tobacco prices indicate reduced supply and increasing pressure across the illegal market.
"This is a key indicator that our coordinated multi-agency and multi-jurisdictional disruption efforts are taking hold."